The press conference for a world without thieves concluded.
Luo Zheng officially entered a busy state.
The filming location was set in a large warehouse within the Xiaotangshan Science and Technology Park in the capital.
This studio covered an area of 8,000 square meters, and the venue rental fee alone cost over a million yuan.
Furthermore, the 'Out of Thin Air' train that Luo Zheng had built cost another million yuan.
The 'train' was approximately 40 meters long and consisted of four carriages: soft sleeper, hard sleeper, dining car, and hard seat.
After a simple opening ceremony.
Luo Zheng directed an energetic Feng Xiaogang to begin official filming.
To ensure good luck, the first shot is usually very simple.
It required a single take.
Andy Lau and Xu Jinglei decisively took on this heavy responsibility.
The first shot was a segment of the two chatting after boarding the train.
This level of difficulty was absolutely no problem for them.
"Cut!"
Receiving a glance from Luo Zheng, Feng Xiaogang shouted loudly.
Applause rang out on set.
"Not bad, let's film the next shot."
Luo Zheng looked at the monitor and nodded with satisfaction.
Andy Lau's acting was spot on, and Xu Jinglei was no worse than Rene Liu's performance.
On the contrary, she had a bit more maternal radiance after learning of her pregnancy.
Perhaps it was because she had reached the right age.
No wonder Xu Jinglei wanted a child after'supplementing her nutrition' that night!
It had given Luo Zheng quite a shock at the time.
He was still young and had no intention of entering the next stage of life before the age of thirty.
Of course, he certainly couldn't say that to Xu Jinglei.
With Feng Xiaogang bustling about, the filming of a world without thieves went very smoothly.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, the main actors didn't have many scenes scheduled, so Luo Zheng finally caught a chance to give himself a day off.
He handed the filming tasks over to Feng Xiaogang.
Taking advantage of this time, he made a trip back to the company.
He needed to arrange Blue Whale Entertainment's television projects for next year.
Chen Guofu had previously collected quite a few scripts, and several TV stations had also expressed interest in collaborating.
They were all waiting for Luo Zheng to make the final decision.
Blue Whale Entertainment, Conference Room.
"President Luo, given our company's current production level and manpower, starting two TV series simultaneously is a bit of a stretch."
"Then start one first, and strive to have two to three productions filming at the same time next year."
Chen Guofu quickly agreed, "Alright, I'll definitely work hard on it."
Luo Zheng looked at the filming schedule, picked one out, and pointed to it. "Then let's film pink lady first!"
He then looked toward Huo Wenxi. "Does Sister Wenxi have any suggestions regarding the cast?"
"The only actors currently signed to our company are Huang Bo and Wang Baoqiang. One is preparing for winter solstice, and the other is filming a world without thieves.
As for Liangying, I think it's better to let her stick to being a singer."
Seeing that Huo Wenxi's analysis was very reasonable, Luo Zheng nodded. "Alright. However, Huang Bo only has a supporting role in winter solstice, so his schedule shouldn't conflict. We can let him hone his skills in pink lady as well."
Luo Zheng looked at the character list for a while and tapped his finger. "Let him play this lecherous landlord!"
Huo Wenxi rolled her eyes and muttered in her heart, 'I think it would be most appropriate for you to play that role.'
'You'd definitely be playing yourself.'
Thinking of Huang Bo's album for next year, she couldn't help but ask, "President Luo, when will you give me the title track for Huang Bo's album?"
Luo Zheng was stunned for a moment; he had almost forgotten about this.
With how busy he'd been lately, he hadn't even used the twelve lottery draws rewarded by the system!
Thinking of this, he felt confident.
"In a few days. I'll give it to you before I head to the Tokyo International Film Festival."
"Alright."
Huo Wenxi nodded, but then her tone shifted as she made a suggestion with feigned seriousness: "President Luo, I noticed that Gao Yuanyuan and Dong Jie aren't signed to any companies. How about I reach out and sign them to Blue Whale?"
Hearing this, Luo Zheng looked at her for a long time before saying seriously, "You can talk to Dong Jie. As for Gao Yuanyuan, I have my own plans."
Huo Wenxi's words served as a reminder to him.
It wasn't just Gao Yuanyuan and Dong Jie.
Liu Yifei wasn't signed to an agency yet either.
And outside, there was also a Fan Bingbing who wanted to jump ship.
Dong Jie was easy enough; putting her in the company wouldn't cause much trouble.
But Gao Yuanyuan and Fatty Fan wouldn't work.
Luo Zheng planned to set up individual studios for the two of them.
They would be tied to Blue Whale Entertainment but operate independently.
This way, he could keep them completely separate. If similar situations arose in the future, he would do the same.
"Fine! It just so happens that the co-production 'young emperor' is about to start filming. I can slot Dong Jie into that."
Seeing Luo Zheng agree, Huo Wenxi decisively stepped into her role as a manager.
In her view, as long as there was a nod from this side, Dong Jie certainly wouldn't be a problem.
The meeting ended. Luo Zheng finished lunch at the company and was just about to rest for a while.
The front desk called; Zhang Weiping and Gong Li had arrived.
With a big shot present, Luo Zheng hurried out to greet them.
"Sister Gong Li, welcome, welcome!"
While they were still a few steps away, his enthusiastic voice reached them.
Gong Li felt a bit embarrassed. She allowed Luo Zheng to hold her hand without pulling away.
Her voice was even softer: "Little brother, President Zhang invited me very insistently this time. I could only come to act as a lobbyist."
Luo Zheng glanced at Zhang Weiping standing behind her with a face full of fawning subservience; he didn't look like a big boss of Mainland cinema at all.
One didn't need to ask to know that the task hadn't been accomplished.
Or perhaps something else had gone wrong in the middle.
Otherwise, Zhang Weiping would never have invited Gong Li to plead his case.
And it was very likely he had done this behind Zhang Yimou's back.
"Sister Li, let's talk in my office."
Luo Zheng extended an inviting hand, then his smile faded. "President Zhang, please come in as well!"
"Yes, yes, President Luo, after you!"
The three of them entered the office and sat down. After Liu Yan served tea, she consciously closed the door and left.
While drinking tea, President Luo looked at Zhang Weiping playfully.
For a moment, the atmosphere was somewhat awkward.
Under Zhang Weiping's desperate glances, Gong Li had no choice but to speak first:
"Little brother, President Zhang couldn't negotiate the rights for jade goddess of mercy. Hairen's Liu Yanming refused to agree no matter what.
However, it wasn't without results. President Zhang made an effort, and Hairen is willing to do a joint production."
"Oh? And the conditions?"
Luo Zheng knew there was no such thing as a free lunch.
He looked at Zhang Weiping, his sharp gaze like a sword.
"President Luo, Liu Yanming wants you to promise him the female lead in your next movie."
Zhang Weiping looked away, not daring to meet his eyes.
"Heh, what a pipe dream."
Luo Zheng curled his lip in disdain. His contemptuous look made Zhang Weiping wish he could find a hole to crawl into.
He hadn't gotten the job done, and in the end, he'd even let the other party set conditions.
It was truly embarrassing.
When they were cooperating, Liu Yanming had been like a blood brother, but now that trouble had arisen, he'd become a total stranger.
This alliance had shattered before they'd even encountered the enemy.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have had the thick skin to privately invite Gong Li over to plead for him.
Zhang Weiping knew that the only person who could help him get that 6 million back now...
...was Gong Li.
"President Luo, if the female lead is out, do you think the second female lead is negotiable?"
Zhang Weiping was full of fawning, looking as if he had been driven into a corner.
Luo Zheng didn't indulge him and mocked:
"What? Does President Zhang want me and Sister Li to fill the hole you dug?"